10 Scenic New Hampshire Fall Activities That Aren’t Hiking
Looking for New Hampshire fall activities that are fun, different, and don’t require hiking?
Fall in New Hampshire is a great time of year, but have you ever noticed that most of the “things to do guides” out there center around hiking?
Don’t get us wrong, we love hiking. But, if you’re like us, you might not be planning to lace up your boots to tackle a summit every single weekend.
Even the “no hiking required” lists tend to loop back to the same handful of activities like apple picking, corn mazes, and pumpkin patches.
All great, but you’ve probably already got them on your radar or you’ve done them a thousand times. So, what else is there to do?
Well, we set out on a mission to answer that question, and we found some great New Hampshire fall activities that allow you to skip both the trailheads and the usual suspects.
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Fall Activities in New Hampshire
New Hampshire’s fall foliage is here and gone before you know it, so planning in advance is crucial in order to make the most of the season.
We did the hard work for you by coming up with a great list of activity ideas that allow you to take in the spectacular scenery without tackling a mountain trail.
The best part is that many of these activities are great for all ages.
Let’s get started!
1. Take a Foliage Cruise
If you’ve only ever visited New Hampshire lakes in the summer, you’re definitely missing out.
It goes without saying that by mid-September, conditions aren’t ideal for swimming, but that’s not what you’re here for. You’re here for the views, and boy are they spectacular.
The lakes surrounded by the changing colors of fall is something everyone needs to see at least once in their life. The best part is that you can experience the fall colors from the water instead of fighting traffic on a foliage drive.
One of our favorites is Mount Washington Cruises, which offers a 2.5 hour narrated scenic tour through mid-October. There are departures from both Weirs Beach and Wolfeboro.
On Sundays, a brunch cruise is available from Weirs Beach and Alton Bay. These cruises are a little longer, 3 hours, but it’s a fun way to relax and enjoy the scenery. Sunset dinner cruises are also available.
Sunapee Cruises offers a 1.5 hour narrated cruise through late October. You can also opt for a breakfast cruise or a dinner cruise.
Another option is Squam Lake Cruises which offers a 90-minute narrated cruise through mid-October as well.
If you’re specifically interested in booking a cruise to see the foliage, we recommend booking in advance. Some cruises only operate on the weekends later in the season so availability will be limited.
2. Take a Scenic Train Ride
This is probably one of the best ways to see fall foliage in New Hampshire, and it’s definitely one of our favorites.
We’ve taken numerous train rides over the years, and it never seems to get old. I think what we like most is that no two train rides are the same. They each offer a different experience for the ride itself and the views.
Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad offers a couple of different options for foliage rides. The first, and one that sells out every year, is their 5-hour foliage experience.
This one travels through scenic landscapes on its way to The Common Man in Ashland where you’ll enjoy a hot buffet lunch followed by a guided tour of the 1869 Ashland Railroad Station.
If that’s a little more than what you’re looking for, you can opt for a 2-hour excursion train instead.
Conway Scenic Railroad also offers a couple of different options depending on whether you want a shorter or longer ride. The Mountaineer departs from North Conway on a 4-4.5 hour ride to Crawford Notch and back.
There are 3 seating options on The Mountaineer: observation dome, comfort class and coach class. The observation dome tends to sell out first, so if you have your heart set on this, don’t wait to book your tickets.
If you’re not ready to commit to a 4.5 hour train ride, you can opt for the 1-hour Valley Train which travels to Conway and back. This is a great option if you’re traveling with young children.
Given the choice, we would choose The Mountaineer over the Valley Train because it offers the opportunity to see more varying scenery like bridges, mountains, rivers, etc. Crawford Notch during foliage is stunning.
If you happen to be staying closer to Lincoln, NH, Granite State Railway offers a 60-minute train ride through the woods and along the Pemigewasset River.
The Mount Washington Cog Railway is another really fun option that we’ve done many times. Nothing beats the views from the top of Mt. Washington.
This one is very popular, so we definitely recommend booking this in advance.
3. Take a Bike Tour
If you’re looking for something that requires a little more activity, sign up for a bike tour instead.
PortCity Bike Tours operates out of Portsmouth, NH and offers tours that take you to some of the nearby islands and across the Piscataqua River.
While this isn’t specifically a fall foliage tour, you will get some great views of the changing colors along the river and around the islands.
Tours are typically a little over 2 hours long and operate through October. You can choose between a standard bike or an e-bike.
4. Take a Scenic Rail Bike Tour
This activity has been gaining popularity over the last few years, but a lot of people still don’t know it’s a thing.
If you want a truly unique fall experience, sign up for a rail bike tour.
Rail riding, or rail biking, is an activity where you ride in pedal-powered carts along abandoned railroad tracks. Carts are usually either 2-seaters or 4-seaters, so it’s the perfect activity for couples or groups.
Granite State Railway operates rail bikes out of Laconia and Lincoln, so you have options whether you’re staying in the mountains or the lakes region.
Rides are typically 5 miles round trip and take approximately 2 hours.
Fall is the perfect time to do this tour since the weather will be much more comfortable and the colorful views of foliage are stunning.
There are weight, height, and age restrictions for this activity so be sure to confirm these prior to booking.
5. Take a Hot-Air Balloon Ride
If you want to experience a truly unique way of viewing foliage, do it from the air instead of land.
There are a few hot-air balloon companies that operate in New Hampshire and these are especially popular during foliage.
Currently, most companies operate out of southern New Hampshire and rides are usually limited to sunrise.
One thing to keep in mind is that departures are not guaranteed since this activity is highly dependent on weather conditions.
6. Ride an ATV or UTV Through the Fall Foliage
This is, by far, one of our favorite fall activities. If you’ve never done it, we highly encourage you to give it a try.
We don’t own our own ATVs or UTVs so we typically rent them through Jericho Adventures in Berlin, NH. We usually prefer the UTVs over the ATVs for this, but most companies rent both.
This is a great activity for most ages (riders need to be at least 7 year old), and we love that you can ride as a family if you want. They offer UTVs that seat 2 to 6 people.
Depending on how long your rental is, you can ride the over 70 miles worth of trails through Jericho Mountain State Park, or you can connect with the over 1,000 miles of trails across Coos County.
There are half-day, full-day, or multi-day rental options. We prefer the full-day rental because the half-day goes by way too fast.
Pro Tip:
Berlin is located pretty far north so this activity will most likely require an overnight. We recommend staying in Bretton Woods, North Conway, or Bethel, Maine.
Want to turn this into a full weekend getaway? Check out our guide full of fall weekend ideas:
→ New Hampshire in the Fall: 9 Best Weekend Ideas You’ll Love
7. Go on a Canopy Tour
I think everyone needs to take a canopy tour at least once in their life. We’ve done them in a few different places including Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic.
If you’ve never done it, and you’ve always wanted to, there are plenty of places that offer them right here in New Hampshire.
Most of the popular ski resorts offer them including Loon Mountain, Bretton Woods, and Gunstock Mountain.
Schedules and pricing vary so we recommend checking directly with each one. Some operate daily year round while others are seasonal and only operate on the weekends.
8. Take a Gondola Ride
If you’re looking for an activity that’s a little more relaxing, a gondola ride is the perfect answer.
Most of the ski mountains throughout the state offer gondola rides from spring through fall and it’s a great way to view the foliage from higher up.
Prices range from $35-$50 depending on the mountain and day of the week. There’s usually discounted rates for children as well.
9. Take a Fall Foliage Kayak or Canoe Trip
Kayaking and canoeing are perfect fall activities for seeing the foliage from a different perspective. There are so many great places to kayak or canoe regardless of whether you’re experienced or a beginner.
Some of our favorite spots are Pawtuckaway State Park and Echo Lake State Park.
If you don’t own your own kayak, don’t worry. There are plenty of companies that offer rentals.
For anyone that would prefer an organized tour, North Country Kayak offers dedicated foliage tours available through mid-October.
PK Paddle Tours is another company that operates tours out of Durham. On this tour, you’ll paddle out to a floating oyster farm in Little Bay and learn about the farming process.
This one is less about the foliage and more about the oysters, but the foliage is an added bonus. The tour departs from a beautiful area surrounded by salt marshes and hiking trails.
10. Take a Horseback Riding Tour
There are some great horseback riding tours in New Hampshire if you want to experience the trails during foliage without overexerting yourself.
If you’re heading to the White Mountains, check out Franconia Notch Stables. They offer 1-hour guided trail rides that are beginner-friendly.
For anyone that is planning to be in the area, it’s a great activity that will let you take in the foliage and doesn’t require a huge time commitment.
Pricing starts at around $105 per person.
The Mt. Washington Resort in Bretton Woods also offers guided trail rides around the resort grounds. This option will give you some great foliage views of the resort, Presidential Range, and the Bretton Woods ski mountain.
Where to Stay in New Hampshire
Since these fall activities are spread across the state, where you stay really depends on the ones you’re interested in.
If you stay in the White Mountains, you’ll have good access to the train rides, canopy tours, gondola rides, horseback riding, rail bikes, and ATVs.
Staying in the lakes region will be ideal for the foliage cruises, rail bikes, and train rides. The seacoast area will be best for exploring Portsmouth by bike.
Here are some recommended hotel options for each area:
RiverWalk Resort at Loon Mountain: Staying in Lincoln will give you the best access to the largest number of activities on this list. The RiverWalk is also close to the Kancamagus Highway and Franconia Notch which is ideal if you’re planning a weekend.
The Lake Estate on Winnesquam: The Lake Estate on Winnisquam is a luxury lakeside resort that feels more like a grand New Hampshire summer home than a traditional hotel. The hotel is set on 36 acres and offers beautiful lake and mountain views.
The Davenport Inn: The Davenport Inn is a beautifully restored boutique inn in the heart of downtown Portsmouth. Its location is perfect for a Portsmouth getaway. You can easily walk to the city’s restaurants, shops, historic sites, and waterfront.
Answering Your Questions About Fall Activities in New Hampshire
Where are the best places to see foliage in New Hampshire?
Some of the best places to see fall foliage in New Hampshire are the White Mountains, Lake Winnipesaukee, and the Connecticut River Valley.
What are some things to do in Portsmouth, NH in the fall?
In the fall, you can take a foliage cruise or a bike tour from Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
When should I visit New Hampshire for fall foliage?
For the best foliage colors, you should visit New Hampshire in late September through early October.
More New Hampshire Travel Guides
Planning Guides
Our Final Take: New Hampshire Fall Activities
So there it is, our list of the best New Hampshire fall activities. Hopefully these inspire you to do something a little different this fall.
While we’re never going to give up apple picking or trying as many cider donuts as we can, there’s always room for more adventures.
If you have any questions about fall activities, feel free to reach out to us at any time.
Talks Soon!
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